Swapping the Series IV Tail Lights with Series V

Go from BLAH to BLING by swapping out those tired old stock Series IV tail lights with the much snazzier Series V lights in eight simple steps.

Step 1: Get yourself a set of the the Series V tail lights AND the license plate surround. You could make do with the stock license plate surround but you'd have to cut it to fit the new light assemblies.
The starting point

Step 2: Remove one side of the stock tail lights. There are eight 10mm nuts holding the light assembly to the chassis. Don't forget to unplug both electrical connectors - press down on the tab and wiggle them apart.
One side down

Don't lose the little rubber sleeves that go over the plastic index pin; they can stick in the chassis or drop on the ground, never to be seen again. Just about the only place they won't stay is on the index pin.
Annoying rubber sleeve

Step 3: Remove the other side of the stock tail lights.
Both sides removed

Step 4: Remove the center license plate holder. There are five sheet metal screws holding it down. They screw into soft plastic inserts that may spin in the chassis, so yo may have to hold them from the back side. You'll probably also want to clean the back of the chassis where 15 years or so of dirt and junk has collected.
All clean

Step 5: To quote Mazda: "Assemble in the reverse order of disassembly." Start with the Series V center piece.
New center piece in place

Step 6: Install one side of the Series V tail light assembly. You may have to slightly push some of the sheet metal inward by about 1/4" to fit the back of one of the light bulb sockets. What ever you do, DO NOT rely on tightening the nuts "make it fit." Remember how loose they were when removing the stock assemblies? That's because the screw studs will pull out if stressed. Don't tighten much more than finger tight. Don't forget the rubber sleeve for the index pin.
Almost there

Step 7: Finish the install. Don't forget to plug the tail lights into the harness.
All done

Step 8: Enjoy the BLING.
Bling!

Step 1: Get yourself a set of the the Series V tail lights AND the license plate surround. You could make do with the stock license plate surround but you'd have to cut it to fit the new light assemblies.	The starting point
Step 2: Remove one side of the stock tail lights. There are eight 10mm nuts holding the light assembly to the chassis. Don't forget to unplug both electrical connectors - press down on the tab and wiggle them apart.	One side down
Don't lose the little rubber sleeves that go over the plastic index pin; they can stick in the chassis or drop on the ground, never to be seen again. Just about the only place they won't stay is on the index pin.	Annoying rubber sleeve
Step 3: Remove the other side of the stock tail lights.	Both sides removed
Step 4: Remove the center license plate holder. There are five sheet metal screws holding it down. They screw into soft plastic inserts that may spin in the chassis, so yo may have to hold them from the back side. You'll probably also want to clean the back of the chassis where 15 years or so of dirt and junk has collected.	All clean
Step 5: To quote Mazda: "Assemble in the reverse order of disassembly." Start with the Series V center piece.	New center piece in place
Step 6: Install one side of the Series V tail light assembly. You may have to slightly push some of the sheet metal inward by about 1/4" to fit the back of one of the light bulb sockets. What ever you do, DO NOT rely on tightening the nuts "make it fit." Remember how loose they were when removing the stock assemblies? That's because the screw studs will pull out if stressed. Don't tighten much more than finger tight. Don't forget the rubber sleeve for the index pin.	Almost there
Step 7: Finish the install. Don't forget to plug the tail lights into the harness.	All done
Step 8: Enjoy the BLING.	Bling!